Dear Doctor,
COVID-19 webinars
Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) has been hosting webinars to support physicians during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Hundreds of physicians and other health-care providers have been tuning in to live-stream the latest information on COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
The webinars are confidential and a chance to hear from physicians in Public Health and the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) on the latest protocols and recommendations. Each webinar includes a Q&A session, giving physicians an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns.
Register here for the next COVID-19 webinar taking place on Monday, March, 23 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This session will be led by Dr. Claudia Sarbu, medical officer of health (MOH) and her NSHA colleagues. Thanks to Drs. Claudia Sarbu, Ryan Sommers and Mark McKelvie for producing the webinar. Find webinar recordings on the DNS COVID-19 information hub.
Doctors Nova Scotia is working to have the webinars continue throughout the pandemic and is seeking continuing professional development accreditation for them.
Feeling overwhelmed?
During this difficult time, you may be experiencing fatigue, worry and anxiety. If you’re feeling exhausted and anxious—or just want someone to talk to—contact the Professional Support Program. Confidential support is available to you 24-7 and is just a call or email away. Call 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free) or email professionalsupport@doctorsns.com.
DNS COVID-19 information hub
Find COVID-19 webinar recordings on the DNS COVID-19 information hub.*
The hub also lists all DNS coronavirus emails and includes a list of frequently asked questions on all aspects of the pandemic, including advice on self-isolation, virtual care, personal protective equipment, plus much more.
* Login is required to ensure your confidentiality. The content is password protected to ensure the public uses the government website for updates. If you need help logging in, email cat.henderson@doctorsns.com.
What’s new?
- As of today, Nova Scotia has five confirmed cases and 10 presumptive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 15. https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200320001The 15 individuals affected range in age from mid-20s to mid-70s. Today’s highlights include:
- One case remains in hospital at the COVID-19 unit in the Halifax Infirmary
- Public Health has traced the contacts of all cases
- No community spread in Nova Scotia is known at this time but is becoming more likely
- Nova Scotia can process 200-250 COVID-19 tests each day. Plans are underway to boost lab capacity to 400-500 per day
- Personal protective equipment and ventilators are on order through a national procurement program.
- N-95 masks are not needed to provide routine care for patients with COVID-19 because it’s a respiratory disease spread by droplets and is not airborne. N-95 masks are only required when doing aerosol generating medical procedures
- The province announced $161 million for small and medium sized businesses and will defer government loan payments
- There will be $15 million to speed up projects to improve internet coverage in rural areas, which may boost access to e-health
- As of 1:30 p.m. (EST) on March 20, there are 846 confirmed and 27 presumptive https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html cases of COVID-19 in Canada. The virus continues to spread globally.
Virtual care fee code: a good first step
Doctors Nova Scotia encourages all physicians to provide the care they normally provide and bill for it using the new virtual care code. Any visit that would normally be billed as a face-to-face visit may be billed using this code.
The association is working with the Department of Health and Wellness to improve the new fee code and to address concerns about the specialist fee, opioid agonist treatment and psychotherapy, as well as how the code will apply for work at long-term care facilities and walk-in clinics. We should have information soon about virtual care technology solutions. If you haven’t already, share your feedback with Kevin Chapman to inform this work.
Read the March 18 MSI Physicians’ Bulletin for full details
Information hubs to watch
- Stay current with NSHA updates and services cancellations, including:
- Previously circulated forms/documents:
- Stay current with IWK updates and service cancellations
- Stay current with DNS updates and information
REMINDERS
Repatriating retired physicians
Doctors who have retired in the past three years may be eligible to return to practise. Contact Katrina Philopoulos at Katrina.Philopoulos@nshealth.ca if you are interested.
March 18, 2020 letter to Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Central Zone physicians
To prepare for COVID-19 infections, the Division of General Internal Medicine will not be accepting non-urgent ambulatory referrals at this time given the urgent need to reallocate its workforce capacity to acute inpatient management. This will be re-evaluated on April 15, 2020 with high likelihood of a prolonged extension. The division is also cancelling all non-urgent follow-up appointments. Read the letter.
Posters, public education
Self-monitoring vs. self-isolation vs. isolation for COVID-19
How to care for person with COVID-19 at home: advice for caregivers
Personal protective equipment
The OMA has created an infographic to show the recommendations for this pandemic. Check out the infographic.
Insurance for lost time
Doctors Nova Scotia benefits with Canada Life cover health and dental only. For those members with private disability insurance through OMA, your coverage has at least a 30-day (and in most cases a 60-day) waiting period. If you have coverage through other plans, please consult your plan providers about things like waiting periods and eligibility for quarantine versus illness.
Travel
Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada (including physicians) must self-isolate for 14 days when they return to Nova Scotia. If you have been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38°C) and/or new cough, you should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811.
MD and Scotiabank: Here to support physicians during COVID-19
MD Financial Management (MD) and Scotiabank clients are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this, the companies are implementing new precautionary measures. Regarding the markets, MD portfolios were designed to achieve long-term financial goals with respect to clients’ comfort level with risk and volatility. Learn more: “Staying in control: How to avoid emotional investing” blog.
DNS meetings and events
- All Board of Director meetings, E-health Committee meetings, section meetings or other meetings scheduled between March 18 and June 30 will be conducted virtually, supported by the GoToMeeting or GoToWebinar platforms.
- Physician Leadership Institute (PLI) and the Section of Physician Leader activities scheduled for April and May are cancelled.
- DNS’s annual conference is cancelled.
- If you’ve already registered, you’ll receive a full refund. Please cancel your hotel reservation as soon as possible.
- Register here for the free virtual annual general meeting and members’ forum on June 6, 2020.
- Doctors Nova Scotia staff will not be visiting physicians in clinics and hospital facilities on Doctors Day. We will send you messages from your patients, via DNS email, on May 1 to help lift your spirits during this difficult time.
If you have any questions about an upcoming meeting with DNS, please reach out to the meeting organizer for more details.
DNS staff and organizational preparedness
All DNS employees are working from home until April 8. The main phone line is being monitored during regular business hours. For physicians with upcoming meetings scheduled, staff will be in touch to offer solutions. If you call, please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. You may reach us by email or by phone 902-468-1866 or toll free at 1-800-563-3427.
Additional Resources:
Department of Health and Wellness (public)
Nova Scotia Health Authority (physician and provider hub)
811 assessment – when to call (advice for patients)
Government of Canada
Nova Scotia Public Health offices
Canadian Medical Association